Review Detail

Eighteen-year-old Ana is spending her last summer before college with a group of friends visiting Hamburg, Germany. Unfortunately, her ex is there as well, but it's too late to cancel. Right as the group is partying in one of the sacred caves of Eadin forest, an earthquake causes the caves to collapse. But worse are the Viking-like warriors whom they stumble into on their way out. Ana is separated from the survivors of her group. She collides with a wounded warrior and finds she's no longer in the 21st century but somehow was transported to the 14th century. She becomes a bargaining chip in an ancient conflict. Add to all the scheming lords, suspicious townsfolk, and rumors of miracles. It doesn't help that she is attracted to Leon, a 14th-century warrior. She needs to keep her wits and find a way back before it's too late.

What worked: YA Outlander meets Connie Willis's The Doomsday Book. Ana is dealing with a breakup, and her way of dealing is traveling with her friend and others in Germany. The emotions of college-aged young adults after a painful breakup are very realistic.

The earthquake in the caves and what happens afterwards move this time-travel story forward. The Viking-like warriors with their frightening prophesies that somehow involve Ana and her group take a grisly turn. That's when Ana is separated from the group and stumbles literally into a warrior.

There are hints of romance in this novel. As a reader, I wanted a tad bit more between Ana and Leon. There were sparks, but nothing too risque.

I also found the idea of real-life saints intriguing. Eadin Palace is a place that sounds almost like a Medieval Camelot. I love a good Viking story, and the addition of Northmen and their prophecy added to the story.

The scenes of the suspicious townsfolk over Ana, who accuse her of being a witch, were intense. I liked how Ana held her own, even when facing the possibility of imprisonment or worse. Her spunk reminded me of a younger Claire from the Outlander series. Both rise to the occasion of being thrust against their wills into other times.

This is the first book in a series. Hopefully, the second book will pick up on the saints of Eadin Palace and the bubbling romance between Ana and Leon.

Fast-paced time-travel story that thrusts a reluctant heroine into the 14th century and a prophecy.